"As the ruling party, we are committed to hold a free and fair election respecting the rules and regulations of the Elections Commissioner," the minister said.

"The SLFP plans to conduct the election campaign in the two districts with the support of the top rung down to the grassroots members of the UPFA and the SLFP through special SLFP and UPFA election campaign plans," Sirisena said.

The 63rd anniversary of the SLFP will also be held in Badulla on September 2, 2014. "We are planning to conduct both the anniversary celebrations and the election campaign under a proper plan," he said.

The Minister said the opposition was attempting to gain political advantage by highlighting the problems resulting from the prevailing drought in the Monaragala and Badulla districts.

"They are spreading various stories regarding the drought with the intention of misleading the drought victims. They are using the drought as a political issue. When there is a natural disaster, the government can only provide relief and this the government is doing by providing water, sanitary facilities, health facilities and other basic facilities to those affected by the drought," Sirisena said. (ST/KH)